[Renal dysfunction and indicators of arterial hormity in persons of elderly and senile age.]

In the presented paper had been examined parameters of arterial stiffness (stiffness index, SI m/s; reflection index, RI%; augmentation index, Alp; biological age of the vascular system, VA years; age index, AGI; alternative stiffness index, aSI; index of increase in HP=75, Aiр 75%), central arterial pressure and cystatin C content in serum. A totally were examined 98 persons (women, n=45 and men, n=53) elderly and older. A comparative analysis of arterial stiffness and its relationship with blood cystatin C in the examined groups with gender differences taken into account. In the elderly and older women, the augmentation index and its increase at a pulse rate of 75, atherogenic lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum triglycerides) were significantly higher, and the indicators of the alternative stiffness index were significantly lower compared to men elderly and older. The greatest number of correlation interrelations was found between the indices of arterial stiffness and the level of cystatin C in the group of women of elderly and senile age.

Relationship of Remodeling of Carotid Arteries and Left Ventricular Geometry in Patients With Chronic Glomerulonephritis.

PURPOSE: to study clinical-functional features of remodeling of carotid arteries and its relation to restructuring of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis at pre-dialysis stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 269 patients (189 men, 80 women) with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) aged 17-71 years, at pre-dialysis stages of the disease. We analyzed biochemical parameters of peripheral blood with the determination of daily proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). For identification of structural changes of carotid arteries (CA) and LV we used Doppler ultrasound and echocardiography. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic changes of CA were found in 79 patients (29.3%). Four patients (1.4%) had history of acute disturbance of cerebral circulation. Concentric type of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was significantly more prevalent among patients with CA remodeling compared with those without (37.84 vs. 18.75%; p=0.006). Eccentric variant of LVH was significantly more prevalent among patients without atherosclerotic lesions in CA compared with those with CA remodeling (81.25% vs. 62.16%; p=0.001). Increased CA intima media thickness positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.273; p=0.014) and negatively - with GFR (r= -0.222; p=0.048). Statistically significant relationships were also found between the presence of carotid atherosclerosis and structural rearrangements of the heart. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a clear relationship between GFR, restructuring of CA and concentric type of change of LV geometry, regardless of the presence of traditional risk factors.

[Relationship of Remodeling of Carotid Arteries and Left Ventricular Geometry in Patients With Chronic Glomerulonephritis].

PURPOSE: to study clinical-functional features of remodeling of carotid arteries and its relation to restructuring of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis at pre-dialysis stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 269 patients (189 men, 80 women) with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) aged 17-71 years, at pre-dialysis stages of the disease. We analyzed biochemical parameters of peripheral blood with the determination of daily proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). For identification of structural changes of carotid arteries (CA) and LV we used Doppler ultrasound and echocardiography. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic changes of CA were found in 79 patients (29.3 %). Four patients (1.4 %) had history of acute disturbance of cerebral circulation. Concentric type of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was significantly more prevalent among patients with CA remodeling compared with those without (37.84 vs. 18.75 %; p=0.006). Eccentric variant of LVH was significantly more prevalent among patients without atherosclerotic lesions in CA compared with those with CA remodeling (81.25 % vs. 62.16 %; p=0.001). Increased CA intima media thickness positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.273; p=0.014) and negatively - with GFR (r= -0.222; p=0.048). Statistically significant relationships were also found between the presence of carotid atherosclerosis and structural rearrangements of the heart. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a clear relationship between GFR, restructuring of CA and concentric type of change of LV geometry, regardless of the presence of traditional risk factors.

[The nephrogenic anemia: progression in comprehension of pathophysiology and a potential of the new approaches to safe therapy.]

The normocytic normochromic anemia is one of signs of progressing chronic kidney diseases mainly related to absolute or relative decreasing of production of erythropoietin and iron deficiency. The last decade discovery of hepcidin (regulator of iron homeostasis) and also various factors and signaling pathways regulating its metabolism the pathophysiology of anemia under chronic kidney diseases is understood significantly better. As a result, dramatically increased research concerning development of potentially new pharmaceuticals that can be used for treatment of kidney anemia with more or less efficiency and safety. The review words actual conceptions of physiological and pathological role of iron and also about main mechanisms of regulation its metabolism in human organism. The particular attention is given to hepcidin playing a key role in regulation of extra-cellular content of iron. Furthermore, the issues are covered related to risk profile of actual approaches to therapy of anemia under chronic kidney diseases and also certain potentially dangerous methods of treatment that can become available in nearest perspective.

[New data on the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke: epigenetic mechanisms in focus]. / Novye dannye o patofiziologii ishemicheskogo insul'ta: v fokuse epigeneticheskie mekhanizmy.

Epigenetics is a branch of molecular biology that studies modifications able to change gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modulations include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. These heritable and modifiable gene changes can be caused by lifestyle and dietary factors. In recent years, epigenetic changes have been associated with the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, renal pathology and various types of cancer. They were also associated with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. In this regard, it is important to note that since epigenetic modifications are reversible processes, they can help in the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat human diseases. This mini-review presents the latest data on the influence of epigenetic modifications on the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke obtained both in animal models and in patients.

[Evaluation of nephrocerebral risk with the use of cystatin C in patients with chronic kidney disease]. / Otsenka nefrotserebral'nogo riska s ispol'zovaniem tsistatina S u bol'nykh khronicheskoi bolezn'iu pochek.

AIM: To study a role of cystatin C in the nephrocerebral risk in chronic kidney disease at the initial stage of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients (63 men and 65 women) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were examined at the pre-dialysis stage of the disease. All patients underwent a complex clinical and laboratory examination with determination of the lipid spectrum, uric acid, fibrinogen, calcium and cystatin C, and subsequent calculation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). To assess structural changes in carotid arteries, ultrasound dopplerography was performed. Depending on the thickness of the intima-media (TIM), the entire sample is divided into CKD groups with no signs of carotid atherosclerosis (SC), n=70 and on CKD with SC, n=58. RESULTS: Patients of the second group (CKD with SC), had higher body mass index (p<0.05), systolic (p<0.05) and central (p<0.05) arterial pressure (BP) and blood cystatin C (p<0.05). In the same group, there was a significant decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05) compared with those of the first group (CKD). The age of patients and the content of cystatin C (p<0.05) influenced the increase in TIM. Significant positive correlations between cystatin C content and TIM, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05), and a negative correlation cystatin C content and GFR were noted in patients of the second group. CONCLUSION: The increase in the level of cystatin C in blood plasma in CKD indicates the development of structural changes in the carotid arteries, the increase in the levels of systolic and central arterial pressure, the decrease in the concentration of HDL cholesterol, which is associated with significant inhibition of GFR.